Evening everyone. Just when it looked like the Pens were a fully operational battlestation they dropped two straight to Southeast Division teams and set off a minor panic through the fanbase. I wish Bylsma would just say they're throwing games to make it tougher for Washington to make the playoffs, even if the beating the Caps in the playoffs is a necessary step to winning the Cup. Luckily for them the Devils have lost 3 in a row and aren't taking advantage of the recent wobbles of the Pens. So thank you, New Jersey, for your charity. The Pens are capable of playing a complete game. At some point they'll get around to playing one. The pieces are there.

Tonight the Pens go on the road to face Montreal, who has the 2nd most points in the East. Tomas Vokoun gets the start tonight, allegedly because this is a planned start for him. Bylsma doesn't apply this same rigidity to his lines, but what's done is done. Bylsma's decision making has been curious lately; he's like the dictator whose mind is slowly going from him and starts doing crazy things like making his dog the regent. Vokoun is bound to bounce back from two rather rough outings. Tonight's game also sees the return of Mark Eaton to the Pens. I'll give him at least a period before I start calling him The Ghost of Mark Eaton, but after the first period all bets are off.

Standings so far: http://espn.go.com/nhl/standings/_/group/2 Philly has pulled themselves into 8th by virtue of playing more games than everyone else. The Pens still have a decent cushion over the 9th seed but nothing is for certain this season.

A Pens win will see a return to normalcy and all will be calm. A Pens loss means both this board and my Twitter feed will be unreadable and uninhabitable for the next 48 hours. I'm hoping for a win. Actually, I'll do better than that. I'll guarantee a win. Have fun, be energetic, and try not to be too negative or else monsters will eat you or something.